The Ordeals Await

In this village there are 7 superstitions that have been passed down from generations to generations, for so long so that they have also been considered as legends. If all 7 legends are fulfilled, you get to be with your destined one forever. The final legend is if you successfully pray at Goura's Gate, you will be together with your destined one forever….in return for what is most precious to you.

"Hm? Aera did you say something?" Ryouga asked with curiosity. "I couldn't hear you."

"A-ah! N-no I didn't, you're just hearing things." I stuttered at the sudden realization of how embarrassing my previous words were. "L-let's keep looking alright?"

Ryouga nodded and then turned in attention back to his large pile of green books. Looking at him getting into his work I decided to do the same. I can't let Ryouga take all the glory when he finds the book; it has to be a team effort. I stood up and ran my fingers over the covers of some of the ones on the middle shelf, stopping at every one of them that has a tint of green in there covers. After making a pile of about 5 books I sat down and began to briefly skim through them. Traditional beauty treatment, ancient sorcery, The Fish and the Golden Leaf, Rock formation and Complex Machinery...There seems to be nothing relevant in this pile. I look over to Ryouga to see if he has found anything yet.

"Er…Ryouga, have you found anything yet?" I asked shyly.

"It says here that in ancient times people would go to Goura's gate with a bucket full of water." Ryouga read on intently. "It seems that the water would be purified if one prays to Goura while dipping their hands in it."

"Oh so you've found the book we're looking for?" I asked excitedly. "Then what else does it say? Anything about the spirits?"

"Yes, it seems that it's the spirits who purify the water." Ryouga continued reading.

"Yes, yes. Go on." I called out with glee. "What does it say next?"

"If one washes their hair in that water…It will become SILKY SMOOTH FOR 6 MONTHS." Ryouga shouted with vigor as if he has discovered a cure for some rare disease.

"….Excuse me?" I asked in utter confusion. It took a few seconds for my brain to be able to calculate the situation but once I figured it out I took a random book off the shelf and threw it directly at Ryouga's head. "This has nothing to do with my problem does it?"

"Ouch." He moaned a little. "Oh I guess I got side tracked."

After rubbing his head a little Ryouga peered down at the floor. He suddenly jumped a little as he picked up the book I threw at him. He opened it quickly and stared flicking through the pages with extreme speed and impulse. His eyes widened as he stopped on a single page near the end of the book. With a wide smile he turned towards me and got up.

"T-this is it Aera! You found it, you've found the book." Ryouga said while walking quickly to my side. "Here, look it even tells you how to regain what is lost from the Spirits and that means your memories!"

Ryouga sat down extremely close to me so that I could see the pages, it appears as though he is oblivious to the fact that our faces our only a few centimeters apart. He starts talking and pointing to a few words on the page but I can't hear him. It's useless I can't hear him. I can't hear his voice…over the violent beating of my heart. I can feel my face heating up, along with my palms and neck sweating. Its so nerve wrecking being so close to this guy, I wonder why? I avoided looking at his face just in case he sees me blushing…Wait why am I even blushing? I see Ryouga suddenly stop moving his mouth and frown a little. Oh no, he must've found out I wasn't paying attention.

"Aera, are you even listening?" Ryouga questioned.

Oh god, I wasn't concentrating. I think he asked me a question. What did he just say? Um quick just say something, anything so it doesn't look like you weren't listening to him.

"Yeah…but…how are we gonna get my memories back?" I asked.

"….O-kay." Ryouga scowled a little and sighed.

Phew safe. Good one Aera, he didn't suspect a thing now. Ryouga's mouth continues to move as he flicks through a few pages, he points out a few stuff and glances at me a few times. Oh God, is he still talking? Why does he talk so much? Maybe if I just nod my head and say "Mhmm" he'll think I'm listening. Stupid heartbeat, why do you have to be so loud for?

"Did you get all that Aera?" Ryouga smiled and closed the book.

"Ah…I'm sure this will come in handy." I replied slowly.

"Err…well of course. It's the solution to our problem." Ryouga looked at me as if I was some alien or just a really stupid individual. "Anyway let's go tell the Chief."

"Yeah you do that Ryouga." I faked a smile and got up.

"Chief! We've found the book." Ryouga called out as he stood up.

The Chief poked his head through the corridor to see what was going on.

"Oh Ryouga my good boy, you found it? Excellent work, I knew you could get the job done." The Chief smiled as he walked into the library. "Well then, what does it say?"

"Actually Aera was the one who found it but first I think we should return to Blaire's house to tell everyone." Ryouga suggested. "I think that would be best."

"Why of course." The Chief nodded his head in agreement. "Very well, let's be on our way."

*At Blaire's House*

"Oh you're back." Lynn smiled with delight. "So how'd it go?"

"Fine sister, we managed to find the book." Ryouga smiled back at her while holding up the green book.

"Ahh, my dear Ryouga that was not what I meant." She winked at him and giggled. "You know what I'm talking about no right?"

"LYNN!" Ryouga blushed while raising his voice. "If that's the case, it didn't go well because NOTHING happened."

"Eh? My, my aren't you a boring child." Lynn pouted and then returned to her seat at the table.

"So what does the book say about Aera's problem?" Orin asked with curiosity. "Does it involve machines? I could build you guys something if you'd like."

Everyone gathered around the table as Ryouga took out the book and placed it in front of everyone. He flicked through a few pages and stopped near the end of the book.

"Here, it says to be able to regain what is lost by the Spirits one must complete a number of ordeals." Ryouga read aloud.

"O-ordeals? What kind of ordeals are we talking about?" I asked feeling a little worried. "Nothing painful right?"

"Well it's only fair right? You can't just cheat on the Spirits; it has to be an equivalent exchange." Ryouga said with reason. "If you can prove to them that you deserve to regain your memories they'll return them to you."

"How do I do that?" I questioned feeling more uneasy.

"It says here that you have to give up something(s) of equivalence important as your memories or go through numerous trials set out by the Spirits.

"What does that mean exactly?" Tatiana questioned as she peered down at the book.

"Um I guess it means that if Aera can find something or do something with equivalent importance as her memories to please the Spirits…then she'll regain her memories." Ryouga pondered for a second as he tried to word it properly to everyone. "That or Aera could undergo numerous intricate and apparently excruciating trials set out by the Spirit."

"Ryouga honey, please speak in English." Lynn smiled. "No one can understand this incomprehensible garbage you're spewing out."

"W-what? It's not that hard to understand." Ryouga retorted. 'Fine, alright let's try this again. Aera's memories are very important to her, on a scale of 1 to 10 it's a 10. Okay so to get back those memories Aera needs to please the Spirits or make an agreement with them. If she can find another thing ranked 10 to her and give that to them."

"Yes but where can we find something more important to her than the MOST important thing to her?" Orin sighed.

"Then what's with the other option? Is that one easier to do?" Tatiana asked.

"I wouldn't recommend Aera going through any danger." Ryouga proposed.

"B-but I don't want to give up anything important to me anymore." I reply angrily. "What if they make me give up Dad's pendant or my memories of everyone here? I don't want that to happen."

"Aera…" Ryouga said sadly. "Don't you understand how hard the ordeals are going to be? If it involves fighting you won't be able to handle it, I've seen you're techniques I should know."

"It's fine. Just tell me what I have to do." I answered resolvedly.

"I admire your determination but it's too dangerous." Ryouga shook his head a little. "I can't let you go through something like that."

"Why? Have you been through it yourself or something?" I retorted knowing that he hasn't.

"No but its common sense that the Spirits are no laughing matter." Ryouga answered.

"Ryouga…please, I won't know until I try." I pleaded with a melancholy expression.

"Well if it's what you really want. I won't be able to change your mind. Your stubbornness is just too strong, I would know." Ryouga sighed a little while turning to look at me. His worried expression suddenly turned into that of a tender. We unconsciously gazed at each other for a few seconds until he ruffled my hair a little. "Is everyone fine with Aera's decision?"

"I'm against it…but once she makes up her mind, well it's unshakable at that point." Blaire closed his eyes and nodded his head slowly.

"Aera…I really don't want you to do this but all I can say is be careful." Orin stared at me with a face full of hope and worry.

"That's right, it's dangerous but you've always been the idiotic type who takes on anything right?" Tatiana smiled a little. "It's okay I'll let you go, just come back alive."

"Aera we believe you can do it." The Chief turned to face me and nodded. "Come back to us safely."

"Aera, my cute little doll you've finally matured into a fine woman huh?" Lynn looked at me with a proud yet sad face. "Do be careful, we don't want to you lose you."

"Everyone…thank you." I felt my eyes tearing up a little. "I'll regain my memories you'll see."

"Very well, then this is what you have to do." Ryouga turned his attention back towards the book. "Unfortunately we cannot assist you in these trials. There are total of 7 ordeals you must go through. Huh? What's this? They seem to be slightly related to the legends. They all seem to ascend in difficulty, the first trial seems fairly do able."

"I'm feeling pumped up now. What do I have to do?" I asked with determination and excitement.

"I think it says you have to gather water from the waterfall and purify it in front of Goura's gate by praying." Ryouga said. "But I'm not sure what the point of the trial is entirely."

"Well guys I'm off to get some water, be back later." I smiled as I ran outside the door.

"N-no Aera! Getting water from the waterfall isn't that easy AND at least bring a bucket." Ryouga yelled from a distance behind me.